Commission approves first reading of 2027 city budget

Commission renews employee health insurance with Avera Health

Commission supports retirement system reclassification for 911 dispatchers

City approves $50,000 to replace wrecked police patrol vehicle

Parks and Recreation Department gets new skid steer loader

City capitalizes on surplus sale to replace aging bucket truck

Sanford Health acquires Lewis Drug alcohol licenses in transfer

Commission approves new alcoholic beverage licenses for Spotlight Events

City authorizes $65,944 drainage study for Stoney Run Creek

1. Commission approves first reading of 2027 city budget

HURON, S.D. — The Huron City Commission unanimously approved the first reading of the 2027 annual appropriations ordinance during its Sept. 14 meeting. Finance Director Paullyn Carey noted the budget includes a minimal property tax increase of less than $320 based on new growth, bringing total new growth revenue to $223,385. City officials stated a 2.5 percent consumer price index increase was used as a placeholder for employee salaries, as ongoing negotiations have not yet concluded. The second reading is scheduled for Sept. 28.

2. Commission renews employee health insurance with Avera Health

HURON, S.D. — The commission approved the city's 2027 employee health insurance renewal with Avera Health, accepting a 4.58 percent premium increase. Human Resource Manager Shanna Sterrett reported that the city's Insurance Committee recommended maintaining the current plan options, which include two traditional plans and two high-deductible plans. The city will continue to cover the same premium percentages and provide matching funds for employee Health Savings Accounts.

3. Commission supports retirement system reclassification for 911 dispatchers

HURON, S.D. — Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution supporting the reclassification of South Dakota 911 telecommunicators within the South Dakota Retirement System. A statewide movement is currently seeking to move dispatchers from Class A to Class B retirement status to better reflect the demands of the profession. Several local dispatchers attended the meeting to show support, and the city's resolution will be presented to the retirement system at its upcoming meeting later this month as the agency considers the change.

4. City approves $50,000 to replace wrecked police patrol vehicle

HURON, S.D. — The commission approved a $50,000 request from the Huron Police Department's reserve funds to purchase and equip a replacement patrol vehicle. A frontline patrol car sustained substantial damage during an Aug. 18 crash, though further circumstances surrounding the incident were not immediately disclosed. Estimates suggested repairs would cost upwards of $24,500 without accounting for potential frame damage. The department located a matching surplus vehicle in Iowa for $43,000, and it will cost an additional $6,200 to transfer the police equipment from the wrecked vehicle to the new one.

5. Parks and Recreation Department gets new skid steer loader

HURON, S.D. — The commission approved the purchase of a 2025 Caterpillar skid steer loader for the Parks and Recreation Department at a cost of $56,700, utilizing city reserve funds. Parks and Recreation Director Chad Schroder noted their current machine requires approximately $23,000 in repairs, exceeding its $16,500 trade-in value. The city will purchase the new Sourcewell-bid equipment and declare the old loader as surplus property.

6. City capitalizes on surplus sale to replace aging bucket truck

HURON, S.D. — The Huron Traffic Department will receive a replacement boom bucket truck after the commission approved an $18,000 purchase from Dakota Energy Cooperative's surplus inventory. Paid for using city reserves, the truck provides a necessary upgrade over the department's current, significantly older model, which can no longer be repaired due to a lack of available replacement parts. City officials noted the purchase represents significant cost savings compared to buying a new vehicle.

7. Sanford Health acquires Lewis Drug alcohol licenses in transfer

HURON, S.D. — Commissioners unanimously approved the transfer of three alcoholic beverage licenses from Lewis Drug No. 4 to Sanford Health, which will continue to do business under the Lewis Drug name. The transfer, which includes retail on-off sale malt beverages, farm wine and package liquor licenses for the 1950 Dakota Ave. S. location, was approved following inspections by Fire Chief John Miller and Building Official Roger Bell. Finance Director Paullyn Carey noted the transfer is part of Sanford Health's ongoing purchase of Lewis Drug locations across various communities.

8. Commission approves new alcoholic beverage licenses for Spotlight Events

HURON, S.D. — Spotlight Events LLC, located at 328 Dakota Ave. S., received approval for two new alcoholic beverage licenses, though the specific types of licenses were not detailed at the meeting. Finance Director Paullyn Carey confirmed the downtown venue successfully passed inspections by Fire Chief John Miller and Building Official Roger Bell. The commission unanimously approved the applications following a public hearing that drew no community comments or opposition.

9. City authorizes $65,944 drainage study for Stoney Run Creek

HURON, S.D. — To address historical flooding issues, the commission approved an agreement with Infrastructure Design Group for a Stoney Run Creek survey and drainage analysis. The study, billed on an hourly basis with a not-to-exceed total of $65,944, will examine the creek's route from Third Street to Highway 37. City Engineer Brett Runge noted that while recent dry seasons have masked the issue, heavy precipitation typically causes water to back up into the West Industrial Park area near Lankota and old Highway 14.

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